New batting cage dedicated to former Indians player killed in tragic accident more than a decade ago
By Hannah Christopher, Staff Writer, UnionvilleTimes.com
Joe and Lynn Fazio, parents of Stephen "Boy" Fazio. Photo by Sara Bleemer
EAST MARLBOROUGH —He may be gone, but his passion for baseball will never be forgotten in Unionville.
On Monday afternoon after Downingtown West and Unionville played a regular season baseball game which ended in a loss for the Indians, a more important event took place. The brand new batting cage at the varsity field was dedicated after the game in remembrance of Stephen ”Boy” Fazio.
“Stevie” as his father Joe referred to him, played URA baseball from the time he was seven years old for six years and after that he played KAU senior league and big league baseball in Kennett. He also played for the Indians in their baseball program. Sadly, Stephen Fazio died at the way to young of an age of 17 in a tragic accident. He loved baseball very much and that is where he got the nickname “Boy” from his friends that he played with. He was always smaller in stature and the nickname stuck.
The batting cage built by Jeff Fries and labor from a variety of players and parents was dedicated Monday in a very moving ceremony on a glorious day. Stevie died in September of his senior year and since that time there have been scholarships given in his name to the most deserving player from the Unionville baseball program. There used to be fundraisers for the Stephen Fazio scholarship but now the Fazio family just donates the money to the most deserving athlete.
Unionville's Kyle Fries pitching to a young participant at the Homerun derby held earlier this year. All stone for batting cage was donated by John Nichols.
At the ceremony there were many players from Stevie’s years of playing and lots of family and friends along with the Unionville High School baseball team, both j.v. and varsity players. After Coach T.J. Ostrishko from the varsity team spoke and recognized some of the donations and labor, Jeff Fries spoke eloquently about Stevie and his time as a baseball player. Then Joe and Lynn Fazio came up to shake hands with Jeff and then each player from each of the teams came by to pay their respects.
Joe Fazio said” It has been 11 years now and none of it is easy, the first few years were very difficult and time goes on but we never forget.” Joe Fazio in 2007 started assistant coaching with Wayne Waibel for the 8th grade team at Patton Middle School. He got involved so he could follow the kids and know them when he decided who would be the recipient of the scholarship in his sons honor. But he also is involved for another reason, he loves baseball as much as his son Stevie did and it keeps him close to his side even though he is not here with him.
Other baseball news: Unionville lost today to Downingtown West in a lengthy game 14-9. Kyle Fries scored twice for the Indians and Ryan Koehler and Stephen Musser both pitched well in the last few innings in the battle back.
Tyler Fries on Friday, May 6 was the winning pitcher against Octorara in a shutout and threw a complete game. The score was 1-0 and he had 7 strikeouts and 4 of them were looking. Eric Arruffo was the lone scorer for the Indians.
Mr. Fazio and his 8th grade team coached by Wayne Waibel (the Fries brothers Grandpa) will play a makeup game on Monday night against Kennett Middle School under the lights at 7 p.m. at the NVF field. Come out and see what the future Indians look like. So far they are undefeated!
